Is it safe to wear my hat in the rain? Is it up quality/waterproofness?

[bobm]

A little rain won't hurt a fur felt. But if you're going to stand out in the rain, I'd wear a beater old hat, or get an Akubra. The reason is that some brims get misshapen in the rain. Or the leather sweatband will shrink. They can always be put right again, but I, as a non-do-it-yourselfer, have to pay someone to recitfy them, and I don't like doing that often. I now own several beaters and have bought a couple of cowboy hats for conversion to rain hats, and will get an Akubra soon. They will take on rain duties for me.

I am very curious, as I have a new Akubra Banjo Paterson. Why do you recommend Akubra's for the rain?

Bob

 

[monbla256]

I am very curious, as I have a new Akubra Banjo Paterson. Why do you recommend Akubra's for the rain?

Bob

Akubra's are made by a firm in Australia that STILL makes hats for folks who work and wear hats OUTSIDE in ALL sorts of extremes of wearther. They make their own felt and as such they make the truly last of the "...fan the fire, water the horse" quality of hat in the world. ALL of their hats, no matter the style, are made to this sort of standard and you can't go wrong with an Akubra. I have worn Akubra's for over 30 years now and will ALWAYS wear an AKUBRA

 

[jlee562]

I am very curious, as I have a new Akubra Banjo Paterson. Why do you recommend Akubra's for the rain?

Bob

Adding to what monbla says above, I can state from personal experience after a few years of wearing my Akubra Fed IV, that this hat is great for the rain. The quality of the Akubra felt, relative to the price you pay is second to none.

 

[Tomasso]

Your hat is there to protect you from the elements, not vice versa.

But a hat will not protect your clothing in a downpour.[huh] Seriously, it is folly to think that a hat can render an umbrella useless.

 

[bobm]

Thanks guys, but here's another question. My Banjo Patterson Akubra was a bit stiffer in the crown then I expected (not complaining), through time and the elements (like most things;>))does the felt get softer?

Bob

 

[monbla256]

Thanks guys, but here's another question. My Pan Banjo Akruba was a bit stiffer in the crown then I expected (not complaining), through time and the elements (like most things;>))does the felt get softer?

Bob

Yes. Give it time and weather. It's not a 21st century type of immediate thing. Wear it and enjoy it for the rest of your life.

 

[Saint-Just]

Wool felt will definitely shrink after getting soaked.

Bob

 

[AntonAAK]

But a hat will not protect your clothing in a downpour.[huh] Seriously, it is folly to think that a hat can render an umbrella useless.

It certainly helps. And I hate umbrellas.

 

[avedwards]

But a hat will not protect your clothing in a downpour.[huh] Seriously, it is folly to think that a hat can render an umbrella useless.

True, but a fur felt hat plus a proper raincoat/trench coat can be used as a substitute to an umbrella.

 

[Tomasso]

I hate umbrellas.

Well, you must be a soggy mess as you reside in London. Personally, there is nothing more annoying to me than wearing a soaking wet suit.

 

[Saint-Just]

Well, you must be a soggy mess as you reside in London. Personally, there is nothing more annoying to me than wearing a soaking wet suit.

That is what rain and trench coats are for...

 

[AntonAAK]

Well, you must be a soggy mess as you reside in London. Personally, there is nothing more annoying to me than wearing a soaking wet suit.

As Alan correctly says a raincoat and a hat keep my clothes and head as dry as any umbrella.

 

[Tomasso]

And here I thought Americans were silly. You Brits make some of the finest brollys made and you refuse to use them.

 

[Scotus]

I agree with A.C. Lyles. You might want to think about curbing your hatred for umbrellas and carry one when it looks like it could rain. While hats are meant to protect you from the wind, cold, and a little bit of the damp, I'm not sure you need to be wearing it in a downpour without the use of an umbrella.

 

[AntonAAK]

If there was a downpour I would take cover. If I was carrying an umbrella I would use it to hail a taxi.

 

[Tomasso]

If there was a downpour I would take cover. If I was carrying an umbrella I would use it to hail a taxi.

 

[danofarlington]

I am very curious, as I have a new Akubra Banjo Paterson. Why do you recommend Akubra's for the rain?

Bob

I confess I don't yet have an Akubra. But from all I have read on this website over the last 18 months, Akubras can be counted on to stand up to rain, and seem to be made partly with that purpose in mind. This point has been repeated over time, so I believe it. What I personally know is that all hats can't be counted on to come out of heavy rain in good shape, and to know that one brand can, is useful.

 

[Mr. Bingley]

I can't speak for London but here in NYC I find that the combination of a good hat and a goretex jacket beats an umbrella any day of the week, year-round. The garbage cans are full of broken, inside-out umbrella husks.

 

[Tomasso]

in NYC I find that the combination of a good hat and a goretex jacket beats an umbrella any day of the week

What are you hunting for in Central Park?

 

[Mr. Bingley]

Not on safari up there; I'm spelunking in the canyons downtown